On Saturday, April 26, friends of the Old Blanco County Courthouse will gather for an historic first-ever Gala held at the Courthouse. Attendees will dine under a giant party tent on the East lawn on a special Riley’s Barbeque dinner featuring beef brisket, chicken, sausage, tossed green salad, corn casserole, roasted potatoes and peach cobbler. Pecan Street dancing to the music of the Sam Bentley country-western band from Austin will continue from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the crowd enjoying the Western-themed “Sparkles and Spurs” event.

Auction prizes will be displayed downstairs in the Courthouse daily through the week and bids may be entered at any time until the Silent Auction closes Saturday Evening. High bidders will not need to be present to win. Gala attendees will participate in a live auction of selected items about 9 p.m. Auction highlights will include:

“Dinner on the Docs” (Drs. John Weaver and Doug Pautz will cook a special dinner for 6 guests at the home of the winning bidder), Mystery Progressive Dinner for 8 by Sullivan Street Caterers (Brianna Fuchs), “Coastal Fishing Adventure” for two with rod, reel and tackle donated and hosted by Dobie Benson of Benson Body and Paint, “Hill Country Getaway” for two at Juniper Hills Farm cabins/casitas for 2 nights and two spots in an Onion Creek Kitchens cooking class by Sibby Barrett, two-burner gas grill from Blanco Hydro Gas, “Country Brunch” for 10 persons at Blassingame Creek Ranch by Jeff & Sarah Harkinson, Frozen Steak boxes/baskets from Blanco’s 4th Street Market (Lester Coldewey) and Harvest Hill Farms of Johnson City (Kip Thompson), Queen Size Quilts from Shirley Hodgson and Blanco Settlement (Charlene Pace), Gulf Coast Fishing trip for two hosted by Dr. Doug Pautz, Central American lamps and totes from Austin’s El Interior (Marcia Lucas & Charlie Tesar), Novel Raccoon sculpture from Wimberley’s Blue Willow (Bob & Judy Bowman) and many, many more opportunities to support the Courthouse by bidding for special items and services available nowhere else.

Gala tickets, currently on sale daily in the Old Courthouse, are $45 each, with table reservations for parties of six or more available. Tickets may also be purchased on Saturday night at the door.

Public support of the historic Old Blanco County Courthouse continues to be needed. Gala income will be used for continuing restoration and maintenance of the Courthouse, debt reduction, and landscaping. The annual Courthouse Fundraiser Gala, held for the past 18 years, has become a Blanco tradition for fun, fellowship and charitable donation opportunities to support Blanco County’s most significant historic building.